The two friends talk “guys,” cheese, and the White Lotus and Watcher stars incredible 2022.
Jennifer Coolidgeis plotting her next move.
“I’m like, ‘Oh my God, how could this person possibly know who I am?’
Ariana Grande (left) posted videos of her playing characters from ‘Best in Show,’ including Jennifer Coolidge’s Sherri Ann Cabot.Elizabeth Gillies/Instagram; CASTLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT
So that’s kind of cool!
Coolidge’s new puppy even crashes the party at one point.
ARIANA GRANDE:Hello, my stunning and beautiful queen.
Ariana Grande (left) posted videos of her playing characters from ‘Best in Show,’ including Jennifer Coolidge’s Sherri Ann Cabot.Elizabeth Gillies/Instagram; CASTLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT
JENNIFER COOLIDGE:Hi.
By the way,your imitations are so brilliant.
ARIANA:Oh God, what?
Jennifer Coolidge.Eric Ray Davidson for EW
JENNIFER:I get so many people just texting me about your acting skills.
You do these great facial expressions and you’re very, very subtle, and you’re funny.
ARIANA:Not even close.
Ariana Grande and Jennifer Coolidge in the ‘Thank u, next’ music video.Ariana Grande/YouTube
What are you even saying?
Coming from you, the queen of all things funny and brilliant, that means a lot.
I’m just happy to have your stamp of approval.
Jennifer Coolidge.Eric Ray Davidson for EW
I just adore you.
I was so excited to send youthe Halloween skitsvia text.
I was happy that you liked them.
Jennifer Coolidge.Eric Ray Davidson for EW
JENNIFER:Brilliant, brilliant.
ARIANA:I don’t think that is true.
JENNIFER:It is true.
Ariana Grande and Jennifer Coolidge in New Orleans.Courtesy Jennifer Coolidge
ARIANA:Anyway, this is about you, my brilliant, brilliant queen.
First of all, I want to congratulate you onEntertainment Weekly’s Entertainer of the Year.
This is so exciting, and beyond deserved.
Jennifer Coolidge.Eric Ray Davidson for EW
You’ve been my Entertainer of the Year since 1999, every year.
How does it feel?
JENNIFER:I feel like the voting was rigged.
I feel like, I don’t know, someone got sick or something, but I’m thrilled.
I mean, this is going to be something…
I’ll never forget this.
I really thought when I got the message that it was some sort of joke.
ARIANA:Well, you are the most deserving of anyone in the entire world.
And I have some questions for you.
And even if they’ve been supporting roles, they’ve stolen entire films with just one line.
Do you have a favorite role, or film, or a top three?
And thenLegally Blondewas really a gift from God.
AndAmerican Piewas just it helped my dating life in a way that I can’t ever explain.
In particular,how much dick it’s gotten you.
Do you remember the best dick you got from playing Stifler’s mom?
Do you keep in touch?
JENNIFER:Well, it was definitely the youngest fellow.
No pressure to share the details.
ARIANA:We can wipe the air.
JENNIFER:Yes, wipe the air!
The one moment was a little bit awkward because he…
ARIANA:You don’t have to answer!
I just wanted to make you laugh.
JENNIFER:Don’t you want to know?
ARIANA:I do.
But now I’m conscious of the fact that it’sEntertainment Weekly.
You don’t have to answer.
JENNIFER:No, I won’t get into the details.
But afterwards, the next morning, I told him I needed to get a blow dry.
So he was so young, we called his mother to see where I could get a blow dry.
ARIANA:I’m sure she was very thrilled and starstruck.
I would’ve been thrilled.
I would’ve been like, “Wow.
What an honor to meet you!”
ARIANA:Oh good.
And does that feel rewarding, healing in a way?
JENNIFER:Yeah, it has.
You get more screen time to play somebody with all sorts of problems and complications.
And someone like Tanya onWhite Lotus, that was a very sort of complicated, messed up person.
I’d never been given a part like that, ever.
And thencreepy Karen inThe Watcher.
That was someone I had a really good time playing this year.
She was sort of the opposite of Tanya, sort of awful.
It was just such two great opportunities actually three, because I got [two seasons ofWhite Lotus].
It sort of completely changed my life.
ARIANA:Speaking ofThe Watcher, it was just renewed for another season.
Do you see a world in which Karen comes back?
I don’t know.I hope I’m in both of them, I don’t know.
The telegram has not arrived.
ARIANA:If not, we boycott.
[Both laugh] I’ve been watching season 2 every week as it comes out.
It’s the highlight of my week, being able to watch you.
I just adore Tanya, and your work onWhite Lotus.
So… do you killGreg?
JENNIFER:Wouldn’t that be so good if I could just tell you right now?
What are you talking about?
JENNIFER:No, really, you’re a superstar, and you know you’re a superstar.
But I’m curious if you know that when people ask about how my life has changed…
I mean, from there I gotPromising Young Woman, and this whole thing.
You were sort of the instigator.
I really believe that.
ARIANA:That is absolutely the most untrue thing I’ve ever heard in my life.
JENNIFER:No, I really think that!
And I think it’s pretty cool.
I was kind of flatlining, and you got things going for me.
I just want to thank you.
ARIANA:That is a very kind but wildly untrue thing to say.
I love you so much.
I think the timing was just so beautiful, and you just deserved the entire world.
I’m shy, and I just felt so lucky you did that video.
Thank you for doing that, by the way.
That was one of the most fun days of my entire life.
JENNIFER:Oh my God, that was a great day.
We crammed so much in there.
It was my favorite memory from that whole shoot.
Do you have a favorite line that you’ve ad-libbed from anything?
JENNIFER:It’s hard to say.
I don’t know.
Sometimes these ad-libs work, sometimes they don’t.
And he was showing me that he didn’t have any teeth.
I think, for some reason, people like it better when you don’t go for the obvious.
ARIANA:Well, I think everyone really enjoys it.
But you know what?
That was actually a guy at Joan’s on Third, that restaurant [in Los Angeles].
He really did say that.
I mean, those cheese connoisseurs are so full of s—, you know what I mean?
It was probably Borden’s or something.
ARIANA:[Laughs] Thank you for sharing.
I knew that had to be an ad-lib.
I said it out loud [when I watched the episode].
Like inWhite Lotuswhen I say something about Oreo cookie cake.
If you said to me, “Jennifer, you’re a rocket scientist.
ARIANA:Yes, you would.
I don’t believe that for one second.
JENNIFER:I have to say [Christopher Guest’s] Corky fromWaiting for Guffman.
That whole movie just blew me away.
There’s something about people playing sort of imbeciles but taking themselves very seriously.
I’m laughing just thinking of that character.
ARIANA:Who are your comedy heroes?
Who’s inspired you?
JENNIFER:I’ve been a fan ofCatherine O’Hara’s forever.
I started watchingSNLthe day I was born, and I was obsessed withMonty Python.Ab Fabis such a brilliant show… And I have to say, I’m so excited for someone your age.
The sky’s the limit.
It wasn’t as easy back when I was doing it.
I love thatBridesmaidsand things like that are being made.
ARIANA:I think you inspired so much of that.
What else is on your career bucket list?
JENNIFER:Well, I’ve done two Broadway shows.
But I would like to do a really cool play again.
I don’t care if it’s comedic or not.
And I love thatWhite Lotussort of takes you around the world.
I love shooting on the other side of the world.
That’s kind of amazing to do.
ARIANA:Do you have an ideal location for season 3?
JENNIFER:Oh, I don’t know.
I would love to do some spooky show in Scotland.
Or do a show in Asia.
I mean, I’d love to leave town again.
ARIANA:Well, you should.
Where should I go?
ARIANA:Have you been to Japan?
It’s the best place in the world.
I’m coming with you.
Well, let’s go.
ARIANA:Or Amsterdam.
JENNIFER:I love Amsterdam.
But I hear the makeup shopping is so good in Japan.
ARIANA:Everything is so beautiful there, and the shopping is amazing.
We’ll have to do a vegan cheese tasting in Japan together.
JENNIFER:I would love that.
ARIANA:There are some great ones in L.A. at Crossroads and stuff.
You should order some today, or I’ll send you some today.
Now let’s talk about guys.
ARIANA:Oh God.
Let’s talk about how much fun we had in New Orleans [ed.
note: Where Coolidge has a home].
JENNIFER:I know.
I wish you’d come back.
just come to my Halloween party disguised as Rumpelstiltskin or something and no one will ever know.
It’s not a heavy-handed song where it’s like, “F— that fella.”
And it’s such a good message.
JENNIFER:I think this year I really realized I’m living that dream.
And I think it’s my favorite feeling I’ve ever had.
I waited my whole life to not give a f—.
It’s the only time we have power.
I mean, I’m not saying I’m not insecure.
I’m still insecure about all the basic stuff.
I’m still insecure about appearance and all of that.
But if someone calls me a D-bag or something…
I really don’t think anyone can really penetrate me anymore.
I don’t really care what people think of me.
ARIANA:Do you remember the first moment you realized, “I’m funny”?
I was in this show,Grease, during college, doing summerstock.
And I go, “Yeah.”
And he goes, “That’s f—ing funny.”
And I remember thinking, “I don’t ever remember getting a compliment before this moment.”
So I guess it was Patty Simcox inGrease.
I don’t know.
I was such a weirdo.
I was so thrilled to get a compliment.
ARIANA:Well, you just got quite a compliment at the Emmys.
Congratulations on your win!
What were you thinking whenthe horrid [play-off] music came in?
JENNIFER:Yeah, I know.
I didn’t really get to say what I wanted to say.
So hopefully I’ll get my moment to say something publicly.
ARIANA:You handled it in the most spectacularly amazing way you possibly could have.
He goes, “I was the one that turned up the music to get you off stage.”
And I was like, “Oh.”
JENNIFER:It hasn’t been advice.
It’s experience that has given me something I can pass along.
I was really sort of lost in my 30s, and I wished I had stuck to my guns.
For instance, I just feel like we always think “authority” has the last word.
I do believe that I learned that from experience.
And nobody really knows, it’s all a guessing game.
I think, don’t listen to anybody, really.
So that’s valuable to hear.
That’s a huge thing.
I share the concerns.
I don’t like unkind people either.
You know what I mean?
ARIANA:Well, I bet they’re feeling quite conflicted now, huh?
JENNIFER:I think most of them are dead because
ARIANA:Oh.
[Both laugh] Well, rest in peace.
JENNIFER:Everybody’s dead now.
[Laughs] I just have to say, you’re a fantastic interviewer.
I mean that I want to put my name on that last thing you said.
That was really good.
Can I say that I said all that?
ARIANA:Well, I’m crying.
But no, I just said what you said again, back to you.
JENNIFER:I know, but it was so much smarter than what I said.
ARIANA:No it wasn’t.
It was just faster because I was nervous… Is there anything else we’re missing?
And I think I’m a great example of “What are the odds?”
And this can happen to anybody.
“Thank u, next” started it.
ARIANA:Coolidge, you silly queen.
I’ve had enough of this nonsense.
I love you so much.
JENNIFER:I love you too.
And thank you for doing this.
You’re the best.
There’s no more deserving person in the entire planet.
You’ve been my Entertainer of the Year sinceBest in Showcame out.
And then everything that followed: hit, after hit, after hit, after hit, after hit.
It is an absolute gift.
JENNIFER:I feel like I just peaked.
This is my peaking moment right now.
ARIANA:[Laughs] I thought you said “peed.”
JENNIFER:No, peaked!
This is the moment.
Thank you for what you just said.
This is the moment I will not forget.
